Of Darkness and Fire

CHAPTER TWO (PART ONE)

It's been several days since my encounter with the mysterious vampire, Wyatt. Ever since that night, I can't seem to stop thinking about him. The coldness of his touch. His touch. It made me weak in the knees. It made my breath hitch. I could still feel his cold fingers lingering on my chin, on my skin, as if he was still caressing me, still sparking my insides to life.

"So, I have some news," Father announces to the table, startling me out of my thoughts.

"What kind of news?" Lili asks, sounding almost a little too excited.

I shouldn't be surprised, though. Lili is one to always love gossip. She's practically the gossip queen regarding any talk that surfaced in Legardia, or even the Mortal Lands. She has several connections through the lands, she'd manage to always find out any and all gossip that lingered within the ears of others.

"The three of you are now all of age to wed now that Genavieve has become twenty-six." I stare at him, eyeing him suspiciously as I sit here wondering where he's going with this conversation. "We will be hosting a ball here at the palace."

Before Father can continue, Lili interrupts, "oh my gosh! How exciting! Will the other princes and princesses throughout the Mortal Lands be invited for such an event?"

He nods. "Yes. We have made sure to invite all of the prospected individuals that are looking for a partner throughout the Mortal lands. However," he takes a pause, glancing over at Mother. He takes a sip of the steaming amber liquid in his mug, looking as if he's trying to soothe the next words out of his mouth. "We have also invited the leaders of the Districts of Alythea to such an affair as well. Each district has several prospects looking for a human partner, and such prospects are also in line for their future leaderships within their districts."

Mateo opens his mouth this time. His words coming from distaste and concern. "Father, why am I only hearing about this now? Why would we invite such creatures to our lands for such a possible merge? You know half of them don't view us equally. Sure, we have some allies, but a lot of them only see us as weak. Why would we ever think about joining forces, especially in matrimony?"

Father doesn't look amused at his concerns. There is one thing about Father, and he always knows what he is doing. There is always a reason to his affairs, to his schemes and plans. Father may be some things, but he isn't stupid and he makes an ever better King, He is a ruler of Legardia, one of the most honest, most truthful leaders of the Mortal Lands.

I don't want to accept, but I always figured this time would come—eventually. It was bound to hit Mateo and Lili at some point, but because it's taken them so long to take these matrimony affairs seriously, Father and Mother clearly feel the need to take it into their own hands.

I won't lie. Even though I'm not bound to them by blood as their true daughter, I was always the one that abided by their rules and their ways for the longest time. Much more than Mateo and Lili ever did. Now, as an adult, I see things differently. My mind isn't so closed off, and it's almost like looking into a looking glass, seeing the world you've always known in a different way.

I want different things now. I'm different now, and I can't help but wonder if this is even something I'd be okay with.

It's clear he wants us to be happy, to find love and prosper, but as rulers, as royalty, we have our duties. A leader with no partnership is no leader at all. At least not a fit one. Such a leader looks weak and others will soon question their authority, their leadership, wondering if they are even fit to rule their people and their city.

I'm sure it's the same for the Alytheans. I'm sure their leaders have the same expectations. The only thing I don't understand is why won't they just deal with such expectations within their own lands? Why must we be involved when it's clear that not all abide by such affairs?

"Watch your tongue, Mateo," Father warns with a glare. "You may be future king, but I make the decisions still. If you sit here and actually think about such a thing, you'd realize that is it more than just finding you all partners." He pauses, sighing heavily, releasing some of the tension in his shoulders as I watch them soften and droop lower. "It's a perfect opportunity to create more alliances, to create stronger alliances with the allies we already have. We want to show the Districts in Alythea that we want to be looked at as equals, but also that we see them as equals as well. It's an opportunity to guarantee our safety for not just our people, but for all of the Mortal Lands. If we can befriend such creatures, such people, we will be in good shape, even if it means we must make sacrifices for such a future."

I should keep quiet, but I'm not exactly sure how I feel right now. I want a different life. I want to experience different things. I don't want to be held to such high expectations, such high responsibilities. I really tried to sit there and just listen, but I can no longer keep the words inside. "And you just expect us to make such sacrifices, even if it means our true happiness?"

Father's eyes soften. He always did have a weak spot for me. I'm not quite sure if it's because of my past, how I was abandoned and left for dead with no control of my own, but he was always much kinder and softer with me than my siblings. Plus, in fathers' eyes, I'm the baby of the family.

"It comes with the job, Genavieve. It is our duty to guarantee a future for our people, for the human race. Out of all people, I'd expect you to understand that and the sacrifices that come with it."

Sadly, I do. I do understand the duties and the sacrifices. I just don't know if I'm fully okay with it. The thoughts of possibly being wed, practically being forced to join besides a vampire, a werewolf, or a warlock...

I'm not sure I'm comfortable enough for something like that.

Sadly, it's not my place to question such things. I have to think about the bigger picture here. The people. Our family. Our lands. The unity of the world. There's so much more at stake here than merely my unstable, questioning emotions of what I think I deserve versus what is best for our people.

I could say so much more, but it seems we have reached an impasse, so instead, I just nod in agreement. I no longer want to talk about it. It's very clear that this ball, along with the possibility of dinging a partner affair will in fact happen whether we like it or not. So, it is what it is.

"Well, I'm rather excited for it. I'm sure Alythea has many fine, handsome suitors for us, Gena, don't ya think?" Lili asks with a large, excited smile.

"You just want to know what it feels like to be f****d by a supernatural, Lili. Don't act like you're actually okay with this," Mateo spits out in anger.

"Enough, Mateo!" Father flatly demands with authority. "That is enough. If you cannot handle such sacrifices and affairs of uniting our race with the others, then you simply are not fit to be our next King."

Welp, that got Mateo to shut up. Sure, he's definitely known to speak his mind whether we all like to hear what he has to say or not. That's one thing I do love about my brother. He isn't afraid to tell you how it is or how he feels, but it's also a weakness and his mouth seems to get him into more trouble than he'd like. He also knew when to shut up before it got too far, before he really pissed off Father.

Father glances at all of us. "The ball will be in three days. Your mother has made arrangements for you all to go shopping in town for such occasion. The car will be waiting for you after breakfast."

There are things that I absolutely love about Legardia. The beautiful green gardens and meadows, the serene and calm Lake Minuet, but out of everything, going into town is my favorite. Legardia is well known for their merchants and venders along Market Strip. Many mortals from other cities within the Mortal Lands come to visit the strip just to splurge on shopping. We're always well-known to have many Alytheans come down for such a festivity too. It's one of the many reasons why Legardia is so well off financially and how we are so lucky enough to keep such wealth and popularity within the city.

Breakfast doesn't last too much longer before Mateo, Lili and I got into the car. Miguel drives us off to Market Strip in town.

I can literally feel Mateo's annoyance next to me in the car. His brooding is making the air thick and uncomfortable. He is always known to brood more often than not, so sadly, it's more of a normal thing to him than anything else.

"Lighten up, Mateo. You, as future King, should understand," I say, hoping he really does understand.

One thing with Mateo, you always have to be stern with him in order to get through. Anything less would never fully get heard.

He scowls at me. "He's just sour that he hasn't managed to find a wife yet before we had to bring the Alytheans in," Lili says with amusement, clearly not reading the room, or she is and just doesn't give a f**k.

I roll my eyes. They're both always fighting with each other. I should be used to it by now, but I swear, the older we get, the more annoyed we all get with each other more easily and the more they both annoy the f**k out of me.

"Shut up, Liliana. You both have it so easy. While you two get to go slut it around and play match maker, I actually have full on, real-life future duties as the future leader of Legardia. There's more at stake here than you'd understand."

I notice the fury behind Lili's gaze as she stares Mateo down. She looks like she's ready to explode. One thing about Lili, she is never good at keeping her emotions in check. The last thing we need is for her to lose it, so I lay my hand on her arm. Her gaze falls to me. "Let him brood, Lili. He's best known for nothing else," I whisper to her.

She softens, settling back against the leather seat. "More like future whiney-ass than King."

I can't help but laugh. Mateo rolls his eyes at her joke, while me and Lili continue laughing and making jokes until we finally end up at Market Strip.

Miguel parks the car, walking over to my door. He helps me and Lili out of the car.

"Thank you, Miguel," I say with a smile.

"Of course, Princess. I will stay here, waiting for when you all are finished. No rush." Miguel disappears back into the car.

Lili pulls me along the strip immediately, heading towards the vendors. I look back at Mateo, who is too busy being moody to even follow us.

The strip is crowded, as usual. Tourists and residents walk along the cobblestone street for miles, walking in and out of merchant stores.

Lili and I continue down the strip, ending up at Godiva's clothing shop. She's always provided the most beautiful dresses and elegant clothing for the royals since I could remember. There is no way we were going anywhere but.

"Ah, my two favorite princesses," she greets us by kissing our cheeks.

"We're the only two princesses you work with," Lili giggles.

"Yes, but still my favorite." She smiles. "What brings you two here today?"

"Father is hosting a ball and we are in need of dresses," I answer, glancing past her to the rack of dresses that were hung up in the background.

"Well, you've come to the right place. Follow me." She motions us to follow her as she takes us to the tall, back racks full of elegant, ballgowns. "Go on girls. Take a look. Pick whatever you'd like. We will go through your choices."

We both nod, splitting up to do just that. I start at the left end, making my way down, pulling every dress that catches my eye. By no surprise, there are quite a few I've found. Godiva always did make impeccable dresses and she really knows her stuff.

I pick anything from princess-like gowns, to long silk ones, to mermaid gowns with a tulle skirt. There are so many choices and I couldn't just pick one.

Lili and I have different styles and taste. We glance through each other's pickings. Her's are more flamboyant, very showy and had lots of designs on them, while mine are more subtle and simple.

I make it through three dresses so far in the changing room. The first one was a long tight, white silk dress. It was a beautiful material and it fit my body like a glove, but it was just too tight for my liking.

The second dress is a long, navy-blue one. The top is of pure velvet with half sleeves and the bodice has a layered ruffled tulle skirt. It is beautiful, but I didn't feel that it looks as good on me as it looks on the rack.

The third dress is an ocean blue color. It has an a-line corset top with long, puffy tulle sleeves. The bodice is a tulle skirt with pleats and a slit, exposing a leg. This dress is probably my favorite out of the three, but it still isn't exactly what I'm looking for.

Lili ends up finding her final dress before me. She picks a beautiful lilac colored princess gown. The top is gorgeous. Beautiful crystal butterfly appliqués along the straps all the way down to her hips. The skirt isn't a complete full princess look, but it is full enough to give her a bit of body. The bottom of the skirt has the same appliquéd butterflies along the entire hem.

Lili helps me get through a few more dresses I picked, until ending up at the very last dress to try on. It is an off-shoulder, a-line simple gown. It is long with a small train on the pleated skirt. It is completely satin and of beautiful onyx color. I especially love the onyx color. It makes my eyes pop, wearing a darker color. It is the absolute perfect dress for such an affair.

Godiva takes our measurements to alter our dresses, making sure they'll fit us perfectly. She explains that she will have them sent to the palace, so we won't need to come back to pick them up. She checks us out and we say our goodbyes and make our way back outside to the main strip.